Into This Wild Abyss by pandemonium_213

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Fanwork Notes

MEFA10 Winner 1st Place Character Study The Silmarillion

Banner by Beruthiel's Cats.  Thanks so much, Cat! 

 

Into this wild abyss the wary fiend

Stood on the brink of Hell and look'd a while,

Pondering his voyage; for no narrow firth

He had to cross.

~~ John Milton, Paradise Lost

Thanks to the Lizard Council -- in particular Aeärwen, Clodia, crowdaughter, Darth Fingon, Independence1776, Jael, Raksha, Robinka, sanna, and Surgical Steel -- for much valued nitpicking, critique and comments and especially to Lilith, who aptly quoted this verse from one of my favorite poets.

Note that the text herein may be slightly different than that shown in the "scrolls" of the Akallabêth in August 2009 sub-site. I constantly self-edit, sort of like picking at a scab.

You Made Me Love You (I didn't want to do it)

Fanwork Information

Summary:

A series of contributions for Akallabêth in August 2009 in response to the following prompts: 1) Sauron fortifies Mordor; 2) Sauron begins to afflict Númenórean settlements to the south; 3) Sauron convinces Ar-Pharazôn to break the Ban of the Valar; 4) storms from the West strike Númenor; and 5) Sauron returns to Middle-earth.

MEFA 2010. Winner, First Place; Genres: Character Study: The Silmarillion.

Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Sauron

Major Relationships:

Artwork Type: No artwork type listed

Genre: Alternate Universe, Drama, General, Science Fiction

Challenges: Akallabêth in August

Rating: Adult

Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate)
Chapters: 5 Word Count: 14, 917
Posted on 6 August 2009 Updated on 3 September 2009

This fanwork is complete.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Measure of Dreams

Mairon paces across a high plateau in a stark land, knowing that all great structures begin with a dream and precise measurements. (Rated: General)

Chapter 2: The Talisman

A tribe in the southlands suffers during a long drought, but after the patriarch of the tribe makes a sacrifice to the sky-father, a stranger comes from the desert and offers the gifts of his knowledge and skills. A young boy discovers such gifts come with a price. (Rated: Adult)

Please find a brief glossary in End Notes.

Chapter 3: This Mortal Coil

Ar-Pharazôn and his chief counselor cast their lines into the surf off a beach in the Land of the Gift where Mairon finds that the bluefish of Númenor require a different kind of lure than the trout of Eregion. (Rated: Teens)

Adûnaic glossary in End Notes.

Chapter 4: A Tempest's Name (illustrated by Lady Elleth)

With the onslaught of increasingly powerful and terrifying storms as well as the afflictions of pestilence, the people of Númenor question Ar-Pharazôn's preparations to invade the Blessed Lands and doubt the Zigûr's ability to withstand the wrath of the gods. Through a combination of his arts and the power of a tempest, Mairon puts these doubts to rest. (Rated: Teens)

Illustration by Lady Elleth within the text of the story; please click on the image to expand. Many thanks to the talented Lady Elleth for this darkly atmospheric and dramatic illustration that fits the story so well. Special thanks to Darth Fingon for pummeling me.

Chapter 5: On the Perilous Edge

Battered, burned and bruised, Mairon tosses stones into a river and contemplates the fate of Númenor while he awaits those he has summoned. (Rated: Teens)

Comments

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As we can see in our world's history, unfulfilled ambitions might made people do morbid things. In this case, Mairon fed the desire in a very clever way.

This is also a realistic study of a man who was an ambitious ruler. Great usage of the fish as symbols. All in all, another wonderful chapter. Thank you :)

And thank you very much for reading and your kind words, Binka!  One of the things I love about The Silmarillion (and associated texts) is that mythic "view from 30,000 feet" which then allows us -- the fan ficcish writers -- to delve speculatively into the details.  Tolkien applied primary world history and myth to his mythopoeic creation, so I think it's fair game for us to do it, too. 

I don't know what it is about Sauron and fish, but the DM never fails to surprise me with the more prosaic things that he appears to like (fishing, black coffee, cigars and single malt Scotch :^D). 

Thanks again! 

So Sauron has a son... I'm fascinated. Is Samaril a descendant, by any chance? I'm just remembering the conversation while fishing in Eregion.

I'm rather glad for the child that Sauron didn't keep control of him. Children aren't his to control. Seems like everything he loved, he grasped too hard, and in doing so destroyed it... but that may just be my own interpretation.

"So Sauron has a son..."

Nope.  Not a son.  

"Children aren't his to control. Seems like everything he loved, he grasped too hard, and in doing so destroyed it... but that may just be my own interpretation."

Adding this rather non-canonical and potentially controversial bit is neither gratuitous nor trivial on my part but carefully considered as commentary in reponse to some of Tolkien's attitudes but just as importantly, as a means of examining the human devastation that results from betrayal.  Parenthood is a funny thing:  one somehow thinks that this being that has come from one's body/genes should be very much like you even if you know rationally this is not true.  But each kid is his or her own distinctive personality and is his or her own person.  That sounds like it should be obvious to a parent, but it is not necessarily so.  There may be striking similarities but a chasm of difference, too.  That's the case in my 'verse.  Svetlana Alliluyeva -- Stalin's youngest daughter -- comes to mind.   Anyway, your interpretation is pretty darned accurate.

Thanks for reading!

I loved this. It was such a masterful look into such a momentous, world-changing decision and how it came to pass. First of all, your Pharazon is very much the leader and you have done a great job characterizing him (I loved the way he clings to bits of old, worn, familiar things, just like we all do); Zimraphel is pretty awesome herself, and seeing this side to their relationship was just very nice and needed. It was very interesting, and heartbreaking, to see how the lack of children has shaped and affected them, and the way that factor could have played in Pharazon's decisions.

The fishing analogy is superbly used and very apt, and switching to Sauron's POV, it was awesome to see him send out his bait. I love how you paint him, and how "human", maybe the best word is "real" he seems, just not the black, iron figure we are used to thinking about.

And, I just have to ask... Sauron achieved what Pharazon could not? I think I am just too intrigued about that bit!! (And, may I say, that was another amazing piece of characterization).

 It was an amazing story. I'll be *eagerly* waiting for more!! Thanks for sharing this :-)

Thank you so very much for reading and for the wonderful compliments, Fireworks.  I'm honored.  I strive to see the humanity in all the characters I write, so the "good guys" have their flaws, and the villains still retain at least some good characteristics.  I love delving into The History of Middle-earth for obscure tidbits, so when Surgical Steel wrote her story about Zimraphel and Pharazôn ("Alliance" here on the SWG), I was inspired to carry that torch.  And if they had a loving relationship as per Tolkien's earlier text in PoMe -- and no recorded children -- that begs the question of how the lack of an heir may have affected decisions made; Steel and I talked about that possibility, too.  Like Mairon says, for many, "immortality" is in one's descendants (including nieces, nephews, etc.) so that along with personal immortality (or even "just a little more time") and the drive for more resources and land seemed like possible motivations for Pharazôn to take on the Valar.

And that leads to Sauron of the Pandë!verse "achieving what (Pharazôn) could not."  The clues for that particular tributary of the alternate history that comprises the Pandë!verse begin in "Trinity," continue in "The Apprentice,"  gradually are being dropped here and there in "The Elendilmir," and will be addressed fully in the future novel (or series of connected novellas) which I have rather unimaginatively (and tentatively) titled "Eregion" (with a nod to James Michener's titles, e.g Hawaii, Chesapeake, Caribbean...:^D).

I'm glad you appreciate my interpretation Sauron as a (very flawed) man (or in the form of a man) in full rather than a more uniformly drawn villain.   Likewise, I very much appreciated your version of the Dark Lord in "The Last Temptation" (the way he plays Anárion is fantastic) which I will review properly (I loved the story).

Thanks again! 

 

 

The shorter of the two men glanced out of the corners of his eyes at his tall companion who whistled a playful tune that rose and fell with the swell of the waves.

I love this little detail.

Pharazôn and Zimraphel's relationship is wonderful.

The interplay between Mairon and Pharazôn is stupendous. The former certainly reeled in the latter quite well.

I had to laugh about Mairon gloating privately about having a kid. Serious subject, yes, but so in character.

The asides about the problems the Númenóreans are facing are well done. They quite clearly show that there is more to the story than just what is contained in the "Akallabêth" itself.

that Amatthâni is not entirely the paradise the Nîmir would have mortals believe it is.

*snickers* I'm having a hard time ignoring Maglor right now.

Wonderful story! Sauron plays Pharazôn masterfully-- telling him what he wants to hear, pretending to be empathetic, and then, in the privacy of his thoughts, we find out exactly how much he hates the king.

Thanks so much for reading and for the compliments, Indy!  You know the Pandë!verse well so I'm tickled that you picked up on a number of the details swimming along in the story. :^)  The Akallabêth is a prime example of the mythic view from 30,000 feet:  Tolkien's overarching narrative hints at any number of details that we as fan fic writers can exploit.

"
*snickers* I'm having a hard time ignoring Maglor right now."

I strongly suspect that your Maglor influenced Mairon's comment. :^)

Thanks again! 

I like the use of the Faraday cage, although I did find myself wishing he had made a mistake in the manufacture and would fry himself. Of course, one knows it won't happen... I wonder what the Maiar/Valar who reported it to Manwe thought? and what Manwe thought. I'd imagine they were thoroughly annoyed.

Mairon proves himself a god to the credulous, thanks to his superior skill and power.  Wonderfulcomparison of the inefficient priest to an obsequious balrog.  And Mairon's disapproval of Lomir's botching of the sacrifices on the grounds that it spoiled the ceremony, without a care for the suffering of the victims, shows his disconnect from the people he murders. 

I loved how Mairon called out a challenge to Manwe.  I for one think that the storm was Valar-sent; but it can be read in various ways.

Thanks so much, Raksha, for reading here and there (especially the critique; that strengthened the story) and for the compliments.

"And Mairon's disapproval of Lomir's botching of the sacrifices on the grounds that it spoiled the ceremony, without a care for the suffering of the victims, shows his disconnect from the people he murders"

Although it's a grisly subject, I'm really gratified that you picked up on that.  That bit was intended to contrast the tug of conscience in Downfallen (that warning of if you do this, there's no going back) to this particular part of his downward spiral.

I loved the many "plagues" sent by the Valar, and stinking fish is just so classic. :D Very godly. I think it's a good way of alluding to the wrathful (OT) God who is going to sink Numenor compared to the forgiving (NT) God who will raise Aman beyond the world to protect his chosen ones. The descriptions were good throughout, very vivid, and I thought the traditions/temple sacrifices were sketched out succinctly and without unnecessary gore. Mairon's description of his priest quite amused me, and the small reference to the time when Morgoth was in charge was a perfect touch. After all, back then, even if he despised the sycophant, Mairon was the second-in-command, essentially on the top of the pecking order and undoubtedly acting in kind.

The picture is awesome. I love the way the dome is actually fuzzy at the edges to represent the rain splashing on the surface. Heh. And that many lightning bolts at once is an impressive sight. Mairon has a lot of self-control to brave this kind of weather, and I think it comes across well in the image. Of course, I can't help but to imagine poking him and watching him sliiiide down the dome. I'm not sure if it's purposeful (and I don't know the technical terms), but the part right under the dome looks very much like a ring. ^_^;;

Bravo to you both!

Thank you very much for reading and for the kind words, Cirdan!  I'm honored!  The subject is grim, but I fear my penchant for dark humor slips out via my muse.  I'm glad you enjoyed this.  And I made a bit of a modfication in the end notes, thanks to your suggestion off-line.  You're right.  Precision is good. :^)

What a great take on a scene that's powerful even in the short paragraph Tolkien gives it, but even more powerful in this long version! I loved the combination of mythological and scientific elements - the Faraday cage was (dare I say it?) classy. And despite the darkness of the tale there were so many elements that made me snicker. Rain of fish! Scurvy! Rum! Very nice.

And Sauron's defiance of the storm was brilliant... ly written, I mean. He certainly knows how to impress!

Lyra, thanks a million for reading and the kind words!  I'm thrilled that the combination of science and myth worked for you.  That can be an uneasy mix in Tolkien's world, but it's one that I cannot resist.  Likewise, I can't resist sneaking in some dark humor so I'm tickled that you picked up on these.

"And Sauron's defiance of the storm was brilliant... ly written, I mean."

:^D  You're too kind to me.  Speaking of "brilliantly written," I'm eagerly awaiting more of "The Embalmer's Apprentice"  but will follow the advice of "all good things come to those who wait."  You have me snared with that. 

So many marvelous things about this story - the little details are amazing. I love the natural explanations for seeming plagues, and I also love that the Faithful and the King's Men blame them on each other. The ship's captain with scurvy (and pomegranate daiquiris!!!) was another lovely little detail, as were the hurricanes, red tide, and climactic shift apparently leading to an outbreak of malaria. All those little details just add to the richness of the story and make it seem more real.

And the Faraday cage? Perfect.

Wonderfully done!

Thanks so much, Steel!  I'm glad you enjoyed this and picked up on those details which (although possibly self-indulgent) are so much fun to write -- and many thanks for the synergy and much appreciated feedback that drive this!  The "pomegranate dacquiri" popped out of nowhere.  I have to wonder if the dark muse was channeling Jimmy Buffett. :^D

The Valar's actions sent shivers up my spine. They may pretend to be caring, but they're callous and have absolutely no understand of what's it's like to be human. (Even though they aren't, it seems as if they didn't even make the effort.)

I find the comparison of Lômir to a simpering balrog to be funny, for some reason.

This storm had the whiff of the unnatural -- of the manipulative Valar, and Mairon took it as a personal challenge.

You know, I sort of sympathize with Mairon here. There's no doubt he's evil, but the Valar aren't reacting the best they could, either.

I love the eagle imagery you used about the storm: taking Tolkien's words one step further.

I adore this story. Truly do.

Review chapters 4 and 5:

It's really so hard to find something to say (and I hope you don't mind my combining two reviews into one) but you have brought such life and realism to the saga of Sauron that one's left thinking, "my goodness... humanity lost... wow."

Chapter 4 was excellent. I loved the science behind it all, his explanations for the natural phenomena (could not help thinking of the ten plagues of egypt), the way he manipulates people (and the way people let themselves be manipulated, too. At the very end, when they pray to Eru at tge same time they pray to Melkor, the tragedy could not be wirst. Such a sad, sad story, and what a great job in portraying it!

Chapter 5 brings it all to conclusion in such a masterful way. Such a promising soul, brought so low that he dare not even look at himself! And, the tragedy is that, once again, the way for him is downwards, ever downwards. The explanations of the Valar's wrath were extremely thought-provoking and, once more, you have masterfully put me on the other side of the question in such a way...

It has been a great series, insightful, heartwrenching, suspenseful... thanks for sharing your talent with us! This, of course, goes to my favorites :-)

Thank you so much, Fireworks! Good heavens, no, I don't mind a combined review at all.

"my goodness... humanity lost... wow."

Oooh, thanks again!  That's exactly my aim with this character, and your comments for each chapter tell me that I'm achieving this.  It's a tight balance to write a heinous villain who still retains vestiges of conscience, which, if one takes Tolkien at his word that Sauron was not "wholly evil" (but came close) and never reached Morgoth's nihilism must be the case.

Thank you again for following this story.  It was a challenge due to the time constraints, but it gave me the opportunity to further develop the character of Sauron in the Pandë!verse.

My sincere apologies for the terribly belated response, too.  I'm finally catching up on responses and hopefully reviews and comments, too. 

Another rich, satisfying chapter--you write Mairon so well that I have difficulty
viewing him from another author's perspective. Mairon's scientific, calculating moves still gives
me goosebumps. As always, you always leave me wanting to read more.

This particular chapter also reminds me so much of the first time I read your work--your use of scientific
words and rational explanation of natural events is a real treat.  I also
like how you assign Middle Earth equivalents to real life phenomenon like storms and "red" tides.

And here's a chibi of how Mairon's hair looked like after his photo-op moment on the roof of the
temple (in Whitewave verse of course, where everything is cute and funny.  ;-)

Fuzzy Hair Day

Thanks so much, wavey, and my apologies for the belated response. 

<i>you write Mairon so well that I have difficulty viewing him from another author's perspective. </i>

I thoroughly enjoy Darth Fingon's version of the Dark Lord (a supporting character in "Four Rings for the Elven Kings" -- on HASA) and  elfscribe's deliciously wicked Mairon in "Elegy for Númenor" (here on the SWG); nonetheless, I'm wildly flattered as is the DM although he's wondering if that electrified chibi is wearing a fish tie.  :^)  Thanks again!

Absolutely magnificent.

I of course love the little details that reveal how badly he's been injured - the throat pain and hacking cough from smoke inhalation, the burn scarring causing restricted movement, the healing escharotomy incisions, the skin stained by argentism. Those are wonderful.

I love the explanation of the laughter, and now I think I'll always think of him laughing hysterically rather than cackling evilly as the Temple falls. The pyroclastic flow is a wonderful touch, as is the human impulse to help another who's trying to escape.

The final image of him as being desperately tired and wishing for an end to this, that made me feel sorry for him - and sort of makes me wonder what his reaction was when he realized Isildur built Minas Ithil right on his doorstep, whether part of it might have been something like 'oh, damn, not again!'

A wonderful story!

Thanks a million for reading and the comments (and my apologies for the abysmally late response)!  I'm hoping the escharotomy incisions might just generate another Nemir fic. :^)

"now I think I'll always think of him laughing hysterically rather than cackling evilly as the Temple falls."

That made more sense to me (or at least consistent with my take of a more humanized Sauron) that he'd laugh with more madness or hysteria than bwahahaha-ing.  Besides, if Elendil write the Akallabêth, was he there to hear Sauron?

"whether part of it might have been something like 'oh, damn, not again!"

Ha!  I'll bet that was a significant reaction!  I'm sure Elendil et fils were major irritants!

Thanks again and especially for letting me tap into the well of the Steel!verse. :^) 

Thank you so much, wavey!  Likewise, I'm grateful for Steel's collaboration -- lots of synergy there and to think it all started at MEFA08 when we reviewed one another's fics.

"I absolutely squee'd at the reference to Eregion here--though honestly I was expecting 'someone' else."

 Heh.  Well, I am pretty coy about all this. :^)

Thanks again!

Ah, tonight was a good night to catch up on some Pande fic! I remember you chatting with me about your plans for this particular story, and I've been looking forward to it ever since. I love the opening with the dead marine animals. It ties in wih the dead animal in "The Talisman". The scents, the images of the steam, all of it great and vivd. I loved that you used the idea of a cyclone, and was hoping you might include one. I wanted very much to see someone use that kind of natural disaster.

I love the description of Mairon's office, and the drink sounds like something I really need to try! It reminds me of a Pomengranate mojito! Yum! I really, REALLY, loved the hints you placed about a volcanic eruption, the warming waters, ect. I love how you had the natural changes of the world play into the building disastr that lead to the fall of Numenor. I love the meterology, and ecology element you put in thi so much! I like that you build on the destruction and it's not just this thing that "happened" out of nowhere.

But at the same time, I love how you played out the doubts Mairon had, that these could easily be exlained by natural causes, but what was causing them to happen in such a manner. And while there is upheavel in the ecological balance of Arda, so beautifully do you describe the chaos taking place among the people of Numenor. Wonderfully done!

The description of the sacrifice where the blade wasnt sharp enough was deliciously horrifying, and gave me goosebumps. I loved the method in which mairon sought revenge too, perfectly creepy! I enjoyed Mairon's thoughts on the hypocracy of the temple heiarchy..."evil grin". Oh how I wish I could hear mairon sing! I love the idea of his song matchingthe rythm of his work.

Oh the storm fiend in me is so gleeful over your descriptions of the oncoming storm. I can almost see the towering clouds, th growl of thunder. YES! You nailed the green tinge to the clouds! I grew up in the midwest, these details are important! :-)

"This storm had the whiff of the unnatural -- of the manipulative Valar, and Mairon took it as a personal challenge."

This line is pure brilliance. Bravo! If I wasn't already hooked before now, this line would have done me in. I loved ow detailed you went into on mairon's sense of the oncoming lightening strike, the hairs raising, the thankfulness he didn't get scorched, the ring of blue fire. Ring the bell, the fight is on!

Oh gosh, Pande, The intensity, and descriptiveness of Mairon in his lightening cage makes me fel like I'm watching a movie.
Like I said, I've been excited for this particular story since we talked about it. This not only met my expectations of your work, which never ceases to deliever, but this story surpassed them. I am one happy reader, and a very pleased storm fanatic. :-D Thank you so muh for sharin this with all of us.

Lady Elleth's art really is the perfect accompaniment to your story. Both are brilliant and awe inspiring. I listened to the song "Fire" by Hans Zimmer, rom the "Angels and Demons" soundtrack while reading this, and the mood was set.
Ah...very happy camper now. :-)

 

Thanks so much, Lady R!  I'm gratified that you enjoyed this series and this chapter in particular which was initially the most difficult to write.  I was kind of lagging with it (like slowing down a bit in the middle of a 10K race) but Darth Fingon kicked my butt which helped tremendously.

"It reminds me of a Pomengranate mojito!"

Heh.  He just didn't have any mint on hand.   

" I love the meterology, and ecology element"

Oooh, thanks!  When I started writing Tolkien fan fic, I knew I wanted to interweave the scientific in my stories (even if in a "scientifictitious" manner) so I cast about for the "scientists" of The Silmarillion.  Fëanor is an obvious choice but he has been written so well by others (including the SWG proprietor) that I thought I'd cast out further.  I wanted to find a character through which my scientific voice could "speak" and who might have a contemporary or even supracontemporary understanding of science and technology.  That narrowed it down further.  Plus there was the challenge of writing a more humanized bad guy.  

"like I'm watching a movie."

And thanks again!  I'm glad it set the scene.  Raksha was of great help in keeping me from mixing my metaphors! :^D

I have always been curious about what happened to Sauron directly after the fall of Numenor. The Akallabeth tells us biefly, but I wanted more details. The image of Sauron laughing in the face of destruction and defeat always struck as potent to me. I am so glad you were able to describe that moment that has always been so poigniant to me. I loved the symbolic image of the hea of Mogth's statue falling and nearly hitting Mairon.
The initial iages of the erruption of the Meneltarma remind me very much of Vesuvius. The ash and the fleeing people. It almost makes me wonder if Numenor would have been preserved much like Pompeii if the island hadn't sank? ;-)

I love that Mairon actually tried to save people who fell into the fissures, and that was how he had burned himself. A very very interesting twist that I liked very much to show that he had some sort of attachment to the people he wished to conquer. Again, loving that human side of him showing through in that moment.

Oh wow, the images of "her" being the most painful. The image of the disappointment in her eyes almost brought me to tears. So beautifully written and powerful. I really liked that you included Steel's characters into this, and that they are the ones who rescue mairon. Those characters are growing on me too. I'm squeeing like a rabid fangirl because now I know who the person Zamin mention finding at sea to Elendil and his sons is. SQUEE!!!

And hey, I like that Mairon and I are both bald and eyebrowless!:-D Sorry! But I dug it! :-) Ok, back to being serious. I really liked Mairon's first glimpse of himself in the water. The horror and disgust he must have felt at seeing his deformities. I actually feel bad for him. I love that you make the reader feel for him.

Again, you bring up the ecological elements that i think fit nicely and are wonderful details for your story. I couldn't help but get goosebumps over mairon's thoughts of the innocent who perished in the fall of Numenor. The image of tears in his eyes actually brought a few to my own.

I want to cheer for the questions Mairon brought up, and I love the prevailing question in this series of stories..."What really is true evil?" I absolutely love that your stories grapple with this.

I enjoyed the exchange between mairon and the Nazgul. i like that they thought "he" was the storm. What a cool concept! Even better that Mairon encouraged the telling of that tale!

The ending to this was perfect! These stories really are moving and thought provoking. I like that lot! Again, thank you for sharing another wonderful gem with us. And thank you to Steel for being so gracious to share her concepts and characters with you.

 

Thank you so much, Lady Roisin for reading and for your generous review. :^)  My apologies for being so late to respond, but be assured your compliments were immediately appreciated!

On the eruption, my son and I got into a heated (so to speak) argument over its nature.  He can be as pedantic as I can, but I wound up incorporating some concepts of his.  I really wanted that pyroclastic cloud rolling down Meneltarma.  He made the point if the whole island was on top of a "supervolcano," there would be more upheaval.  Yes, that's what my son and I discuss -- the nerd-apple doesn't fall far from the nerd-tree. 

"he had some sort of attachment to the people he wished to conquer."

To an extent, yes, in my 'verse he does and I'm taking inspiration from some of the things that Tolkien wrote about Sauron in the HoMe which suggest that he took care of his subjects (at least materially) if they did not oppose him and would have been content to rule Númenor with Ar-Pharazôn out of the picture.  But his reaction to try to save the woman, child and elderly woman may also be attributed to human instinct.   In my 'verse, a Maia cannot put on a human body and not be (largely) human.

"These stories really are moving and thought provoking"

Thanks again!  Akallabêth in August gave me the opportunity to further develop this character as he operates in the Pandë!verse. 

Well, it's a shame that Mairon didn't actually end it all then; might have saved Middle-earth a lot of misery.  Of course then there wouldn't have been any LOTR or any of your very entertaining stories. 

Loved the interaction between Sauron and the Nazgul.  And I liked the way that Sauron's desire for good order and productivity comes through in his frustration for the woman he tried to save - he might have slaughtered hundreds of men for being Elendili, but he regards himself as a benevolent ruler over women and children.  I wonder what happened to the wives and children of the sacrifices?  Were any women sacrificed to "the Giver of Freedom"?

Anyway, the story is an excellent transition for Sauron from being the high and mighty Lord Zigur of Numenor to the misshapen and scarred Sauron. 

Thanks so much for reading and the comments, Raksha, and also for reining me in from careening willy-nilly with my metaphors. :^)  My apologies for the tardy reply, too.

"Well, it's a shame that Mairon didn't actually end it all then; might have saved Middle-earth a lot of misery."

My version of Sauron (especially his fundamental self -- the part independent of Melkor's influence and corruption) is a dogged survivor so he would not have "ended it all."  More likely, the "maintaining an empire is exhausting" Sauron would have taken early retirement in a villa along the shores of the sea of Nurn ;^) but he's too full of pride, ambition and addiction to power to set it aside.

"but he regards himself as a benevolent ruler over women and children."

As well as men who did not oppose him.  My Sauron (more and more deluded and consumed by his ambition as time progresses) no doubt sees himself as a benevolent ruler to those who serve him as alluded to in his point of view.   I'm taking a cue from HoMe vol. IX Sauron Defeated, Drowning of Anadûne:

For there arose  a  second  manifestation  of  the  power of  darkness upon earth, and whether that was but a form of the  Ancient or  one of  his old servants that waxed to  new strength,  is not  known. And this  evil  thing was  called by  many names,  but the  Eruhil named him Sauron,  and  men   of  Middle-earth   (when  they   dared  to speak  his  name  at  all)  named  him mostly  Zigur the  Great. And he made himself a  great king  in the  midst of  the earth,  and was at first well-seeming and just and his  rule was  of benefit  to all men  in  their  needs  of  the body;  for he  made them  rich, whoso would  serve  him.  But  those who  would not  were driven  out into the  waste  places. 

"Were any women sacrificed to "the Giver of Freedom"? "

I haven't written about them, but yes, I'm sure there were women who were sacrificed.

"I wonder what happened to the wives and children of the sacrifices?"

Good question!  I expect they did not meet with happy outcomes, especially if they were connected to the "opposition." 

Thanks again (and profusely) for the compliments and also the concrit on the Lizard! 

 

Again, what a wonderful and thought-provoking chapter! I loved how you brought across that Sauron's goal was never annihilation, "only" rulership - and his impulse to save the falling was a great touch. The description of the cataclysm was very well done - I knew what was going to happen, and yet I was on the edge of my seat! I also loved Sauron's ponderings while waiting for his minions - and the origin of his "passing like a black cloud over the sea" legend. Great combination of "realism" and myth once again!

Thanks so much, Lyra, and my apologies for being so tardy in responding.  Be assured your compliments were (and are) immediately appreciated.  

"his impulse to save the falling was a great touch."

And thanks for noting this!  I take something of a hardline biologist's viewpoint here: if a Maia assumes a human form, then it's not like putting on a sweater or coat.  The Maia's behavior and emotions will be affected, too, by the human component.  And humans -- along with other animals -- possess altruism as part of their inherent behavior.  So as bad as he is -- and becomes -- Sauron still has his altruistic moments, some even kind of bizarre and certainly capricious. 

"I loved how you brought across that Sauron's goal was never annihilation"

Yep, and I'd like to think that fits into what Tolkien wrote of his character in "Myths Transformed," HoMe vol X. 

"The description of the cataclysm was very well done"

Oh, thankyouthankyouthankyou!  I was concerned about that! 

"Great combination of "realism" and myth once again!"

And thanks again!  That's my modus operandi! :^)

I have so many stories to catch up on with reviews myself, including yours, but let me say for now that I cannot begin to tell you how much I love "The Embalmer's Apprentice."  What a fantastic story! 

"I am so tired..." remnents of the Aulendil personality? Have his personalities fully merged again, or is what is left of Aulendil trapped inside his mind? Shudder. Your Sauron is by far the most believable characterization of him I've ever seen, as well as the most compelling. 

Thanks so much for having a read and for the comments, Aiwen!  My apologies for taking so long to reply. 

"Have his personalities fully merged again, or is what is left of Aulendil trapped inside his mind."

That's a great question, and my answer kind of reveals how my thoughts of how the complex fellow's mind and motives have evolved. If I were to re-write a bit of The Apprentice, I might emphasize that Aulendil/Gorthaur/Annatar are (is?) not so much what might appear to be "split personalities" but rather compartmentalization.  So a mind that is still integrated, but with the shifting "self" able to tap into different (and strong) aspects of the whole. He's just named these compartmentalizations of his self.  :^)  My Sauron is a master shape-shifter not only in form (mostly in the illusion of his form; in my 'verse actual physical morphing is not easy even for him) but also in the sense of how he presents his personality, too.

"Your Sauron is by far the most believable characterization of him I've ever seen, as well as the most compelling."

That is a tremendous compliment, Aiwen!  I'm honored and humbled.  But let me say that your Sauron who turns into an owl and eats the mice around Ost-in-Edhil never fails to make me smile. :^) 

Thank you so much for reading and for the compliments, Clodia, and also for the concrit on the LC.  Much appreciated! 

"Gorgeous descriptions of the multiple manifestations of approaching catastrophe."

Ooooh, thank you, thank you!  Those were entertaining for me to think about and express.  I hope to get the scientific aspects across without sounding too "science-y" and I'm still learning, I think.  I remind myself of how I tried to describe enzyme catalysis to my kids when they were grade-school age through metaphors. :^D

And I am certain you could have a field day with the socio-political aspects of Númenor at any given period given your acumen and writing skills!

My apologies, too, for the tardy response.  I hope to get caught up on comments and reviews here over the next few weeks.  AinA was a tad draining for me! 

And thank you very much for reading and for the compliments!  I was a bit worried about writing the elements of the disaster so I'm gratified that these worked for you.  Although creative writing (work writing is another matter) under something of a deadline is not usually how I operate, AinA was a very useful exercise for me to further develop my version of Sauron's character, something that is essential given what I have in mind for him.

Thanks again! 

What to add...?

I love the image of Mairon tossing stones into the water -- it has a similar, mechanical, therefore a sort of disturbing, feeling to it, just like the methodical counting of steps in the first chapter.

This is a stunning, powerful conclusion to an outstanding story. Thank you a million!

"..it has a similar, mechanical, therefore a sort of disturbing, feeling to it, just like the methodical counting of steps in the first chapter."

Squeeeeee!  Thanks so much for noticing that, Binka!  Indeed that was a deliberate allusion to the first chapter.  My version of Sauron is nothing if not methodical although I think by the Third Age, he's losing his edge in this trait.

And thanks a million to you for reading and for the most welcome compliments!  As I've noted to others, writing under a time constraint (creative writing that is) is something to which I am not accustomed, but this was a great opportunity to further develop his character in my 'verse, a necessity for another "compartment" of his life that will eventually unfold. 

Mairon's singing/pausing of time sent both shivers of awe and fear down my spine. As interesting and normal it seems in a fantasy universe, things like that sometimes remind me how strange beings like him are.

I love the fact that Sauron laughed in fear/hysterics, not joy at the destruction of Númenor. It gives him a more subtle, human characterization (which is one of the things I adore about your 'verse).

If the Valar had decided to take such measures to protect their pet humans –- the Elves –- and wall off their precious enclave by removing it from the rest of the world, then why should he show any shred of mercy to others?

*shudders* Twisted logic at its finest.

And one of the rings being his wedding ring?

Oh, I love the concluding paragraphs, that even though he lived and in some degree, triumphed, some part of him doesn't want to do it anymore.

Re-posting my MEFA review without editing here for the record:

I postponed reading this collection for over a year. At first, I missed it because I was in the midst of moving and traumatized; I also had a computer crash during the month of August 2009. I'm only raising the personal details to set up why I was able to convince myself that I wasn't ready to read this at the time it was written and published, since I usually gobble up everything that Pandemonium writes as soon as it is posted.

The fact is, I had rather fallen in love with Pandemonium's Aulendil of Eregion. I knew he wasn't a good person, but just so attractive, intelligent and sure of himself. I am, if not a truly wicked person, a very strongly rebellious one, and I think hidden behind all of my practical problems with reading these chapters lurked the drawback that I wasn't sure I was quite ready to read of her Sauron's descent into pure evil. I also worried that perhaps I ought to be ready to be more sympathetic than I felt with either the men of Númenor or possibly be ready to believe that Eru was justified in cleaning up a mess made by the First and Second Born in destroying Númenor and all its men, women and children. Of course, I knew better than this, because I know Pandemonium well and know that she would never have written the story so simplistically.

However, the fact that Tolkien's work is based upon his personal world view makes it, as much as I love his imagination and his storytelling genius, a hard sell for me at times, some corners of it more than others. Númenor has never been my favorite story to think about. Anyway, finally, here I am after long resistance and undue amount of self-protectiveness, having read these stories and ready to give Pandemonium a well-deserved standing ovation for her handling of these linked narratives of Sauron's slippery downhill slide.

My absolute favorite among all of the well-crafted and quite unique from one another stories in this collection is the one called ["This Mortal Coil"]. It manages to give me a believable and, if not exactly likeable, a tolerable Ar-Pharazôn for whom I can feel some measure of sympathy, with a wife he loves and without an heir. (The details like these that Pandemonium uses to make her characters believable and human is the key to the brilliance of her world. The lack of an heir, for example, gives a whole new aspect to the theme of mortality vs. immortality.)

The elements of characterization that capture and delight me are the almost throwaway ones like this: ["After an agonizing stretch of time, Pharazôn flipped the fish over."] My kids would probably be happy to tell you that I share a certain lack of patience at watching other people cook with Sauron! I'm loving Sauron as a control freak who doesn't want his fish overcooked.

I loved the idea of blaming the Valar rather than Ilúvatar for the destruction of Númenor-sorry, folks, it just works for me better from a storytelling point of view. Imagining the physical aspects of the destruction is gruesome and fascinating, particularly so within the context of the destructive elements in our natural world that we have witnessed over the past few years, like the Indian Ocean Tsunami or the recent Haiti earthquake, not to mention the ones I have had closer personal links to like the last really big earthquake in Mexico City or the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the US. It's equally absorbing to reflect on motivation and judgment over the purely physical aspects of natural disasters. How could the Valar, much less Ilúvatar, be willing to swamp Númenor, the guilty along with the innocent, after the obliteration of most of Beleriand at the end of the War of Wrath? Seems they didn't learn any subtlety between the end of the First Age and the destruction of Númenor. Sauron's comment about their propensity to meet problems with such a heavy hand deftly addresses the question of judgment and the Valar. ["Ironically, by obliterating Ar-Pharazôn and his fleet, the Valar might inadvertently aid him in accomplishing his goal."]

I could go on and on, about trout fishing and blue fish and Sauron hooking his men. (I had threatened to post my recipe for blue fish here if I needed padding to give this entry its full complement of points, but it seems I don't require any filler. There is so much to talk about relating to these stories, that I am barely scratching the surface.) I recommend each and every single one of the independent chapters in this collection and Pandemonium's entire storyline centered around Sauron. It is the thinking person's version of our favorite fantasy world, and a wickedly critical one at that, while manifesting an admiration for the breadth, width, and myriad details of the original and the degree to which JRRT is able to stimulate each of our imaginations.